Celebrate No Regrets with CHOC Zero GIVEAWAY

Celebrate No Regrets with CHOC Zero GIVEAWAY! 
Enter for your chances to win!

but first - read this great post:
Mocha Almond Zucchini Brownies



click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
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This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase made Laura may receive a small commission to help support her blog.

Welcome to the Celebrate No Regrets With ChocZero Giveaway!

Hosted by: Michigan Saving and More

Sponsored by: ChocZero

The winner will receive $25 rv of an assortment of ChocZero products!

[caption id="attachment_41887" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ChocZero Milk Chocolate[/caption] [caption id="attachment_41916" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ChocZero 50% Coco[/caption] [caption id="attachment_41929" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ChocZero 70% Coco[/caption]

ChocZero is a natural, premium, artisan-style, zero sugar chocolate. Rather than replacing sugar with sugar alcohols, they use natural, soluble vegetable fiber and monk fruit extract to craft a guilt-free chocolate confection that tastes just as good as the next artisan chocolate… if not better. ChocZero is available in individually flavored 6-pack boxes and comes in three delectable flavors: Milk, 50% Dark, and 70% Dark Chocolate. That is why you can Celebrate No Regrets With ChocZero!

Read the review HERE to learn more.

If you want to try this ChocZero you can find it on Amazon HERE.

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This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from the sponsor in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 10/10/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com or contact the owner of the blog you are entering on!

We “LOVE” it if you like us!

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The Peace of God - Mind Boggling

The Peace of God - Mind Boggling

Today marks 15 years since that horrendous day now known as "Nine Eleven".  I'm not going to relive that day in my post today but let's make sure that we take a moment to honor those who lost their lives over a decade ago.

In this post I am going to focus on peace and specifically the peace of God.  In the featured verse above it states that the peace of God transcends all understanding - it is unbelievably amazing - it is mind boggling.


Where does inner peace come from?....our family?.....our friends?
Tranquility of the heart and spiritual harmony is based on forgiveness through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We are at peace when our conscience is clear......when we know that we have been forgiven.  Just like the feature verse states - peace occurs in both our heart and our mind.

Have you ever been unable to sleep because your mind is racing through whatever hardship you might be facing?  Or maybe you stay awake at night with an emotional ache from something that you did or from something done to you.  These situations are the opposite of peace - unrest, uproar, anxiety, turbulence and turmoil.

Our actions show what is in our heart:

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful."  Colossians 3:15

Our actions also show what is in our mind:

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."  Romans 8:6

There are two trains of thought - First that our emotions come from our thoughts and if we change our way of thinking then our emotions will change with that.  The second theory is that our emotions happen first and then our thoughts will follow.  I don't think either one of these are correct - I believe that our heart and mind are equal.  We must have Heavenly Peace  in both places (heart & mind) before our actions will change.  The feature verse stating that this "peace" from our heavenly Father protects our hearts and minds through His Son/our Savior Jesus.



You might be asking: "How do we draw from God's peace?"

"Peace" can only come from daily study & meditation of God's Word.  Specifically I am talking about daily Scripture meditation and constant prayer - this is the only way to the kind of peace that will protect our heart and mind.  It is also the only kind of peace that will enable us to be ready in any situation.

Be sure to draw from God - get your strength from the Gospel of peace before you take any step in life.

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Homemade Blackberry Applesauce #Recipe

Blackberry Applesauce

Homemade applesauce is a staple in my winter storage fruit cellar.  I love the many dishes and desserts that can be made from applesauce, even smoothies (click HERE to view this smoothie recipe: Applesauce'n Celery Smoothie).  This year I decided to blend add an extra flavor/fruit to my applesauce: blackberries......and what a SUCCESS!!
(If you would like to make plain Cinnamon Applesauce then click HERE)

Begin by making blackberry juice:

3 cups blackberries (washed & drained)

1 1/2 cups water (preferably filtered water)

In a medium size saucepan, combine the blackberries and water.  Bring to boil and then turn down the heat to low and simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes.  Strain out the seeds (see picture below).  Compost the seeds and once the juice has cooled - pour the juice into an airtight container.  Place in the fridge until later (until tomorrow).

Now it is time to make the applesauce

1 "six quart basket" of apples (washed, drained & cut in half)

about 2 to 3 cups water

Place the prepared apple halves in a large stock pot and add the water (the water will NOT cover the top of the apples - the purpose of the water is to prevent the apples from burning and to add a little more fluidity to the sauce).  Place the stock pot on a burner over medium heat until you see the water at the bottom start to boil - then cover and turn down the heat to simmer.  Simmer for 1 hour - stirring occasionally.

Allow the simmered apples to cool (I usually simmer the apples at night and remove from the heat and let them cool overnight).  After the cooked apples have cooled you will need to use a food strainer ( click here to view the food strainer that I use).  This strainer will remove the skins and seeds from the sauce.  Continue adding the cooled & simmered apples until they have all been squeezed through the food strainer.

  

 Now your applesauce should look like the picture above in the plastic container at the bottom of the picture - all skins and seeds have been removed. 

  

Finishing the applesauce

The applesauce from the step above

1+ cups sugar (or to taste)

 2+ tablespoons cinnamon (optional)

Juice from 1 lemon

Blackberry juice that you set aside in the fridge from yesterday

You should have about 10 cups of applesauce.  Now add the sugar, cinnamon, blackberry juice and lemon juice - stir.  Bring to boil over medium heat and then turn down and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour (IMPORTANT - Make sure that you stir often).  (Your sauce should resemble the picture below).  While the sauce is simmering you should gather your canning jars, lids and rings (you will need about 8 pints). (see Canning Basics - Jar Sizes). Also, gather all other canning supplies: (see Other Canning Supplies)  Start the water boiling for Jar sterilization: (see Sterilizing Jars & Lids) .   Taste the applesauce - you might want to add more sugar.

By now your jars should be sterilized and ready to be filled. Take the jars out of the boiling water (I use my jar remover and make sure that the water is drained out of each jar).  Ladle the applesauce into each jar making sure not to go above the bottom of the threads on the jar.  Continue filling until all of the applesauce has been used up.  Wipe the rim of each jar with a damp cloth making sure that any sauce residue is gone (any residue left on the rim can stop the jar from sealing).  Place a sterilized lid on each jar and then tighten a ring on each jar.  Place all jars in a "Water Bath Canner" and process (boil) the filled jars for 20 minutes (make sure that the water level in the Canner is 1 inch above the tallest jar)
After boiling for 20 minutes remove the jars and place them on the counter or table to cool (I always place them on a cloth because there have been a few times when a jar cracked and then the contents oozed out making a mess - the cloth will help if that happens). You will hear the wonderful popping sound of your jars sealing.






ENJOY!!





In the picture above you will see the regular cinnamon applesauce on the left and the lovely deep red blackberry applesauce on the right (in the picture below the cinnamon applesauce is on the right and the blackberry on the left - beautiful colors)

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned"
Handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry & beads made from beautiful beach stones from the Great Lakes Shoreline.
Travel along the shoreline with Cynthia
(click HERE to view her blog)

(Please click on the ad above to view her shop)

Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report #30

#30 - Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report

If you were following this blog in 2015 then you will be familiar with my "365 Days of Being Thankful" challenge.  I have missed reporting on my thankfulness since I finished my challenge back in November so I decided to at least give a weekly Thankfulness Report & include a Growth Report also.  Growth in our Christian walk, growth in the garden & growth on this blog.  Finally, I am also including a "Posts From the Past" feature - ENJOY!


This week I am so thankful for online conveniences, for my clever and funny husband and for God's comforting hand in my everyday life.


"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3&4
We all go through difficult times and the above verse is so soothing - God will always be there for us and be our comfort.
Read: The Importance of Prayer - COMFORT


We have been having a very late heat wave but the tomatoes are loving every second of the heat and humidity.  We have tomatoes with almost every meal (even snacks).  Also, I canned my first batch of grape juice with many more grapes to ripen soon.

- Here are my Follower stats:

GFC (Google Friends Connect) - 2,265
Bloglovin - 4,146
Twitter - 6,103

Pinterest - 5,516
Google+ - 2,300
Facebook - 4,404
Linky Followers - 108
Networked Blog - 1,206
Activate - 574
That's a grand total of 26,622 followers in some form or another (that's up 17 from last week!).

(click on the title to view the entire post)
A couple years ago I shared with you one of my delicious recipes using tomatoes - specifically the grape tomato:
Grape Tomato Chicken Pasta Salad with Spicy Sour Cream #Recipe






This week is GARDEN feature week - click HERE to LINK UP & to see who was featured!





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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

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Decal Guru GIVEAWAY

Decal Guru GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY!
Enter for your chances to win!

but first - read this great post:
Lemon Meringue Waffles with Strawberry Syrup



click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
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Welcome To The Decal Guru $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway!

Decal Guru can help you decorate a room, vehicle, or a computer.  They have lots of great decals for you to take a look at!

Hosted by:  Michigan Saving and More

Sponsored by: Decal Guru

The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate for Decal Guru products!

These are just a few of the ones we love, check out their site to show your personality anywhere you can.

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from the sponsor in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the United States and Canada. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 10/3/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com or contact the owner of the blog you are entering on!

Entry-Form

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Click the button below to enter the Great Giveaways going on now!!:

Time To Link Up! Tuesdays with a Twist #178

Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist #178!
Checkout the many great giveaways going on right now!

Click the button below to enter each Giveaway!!:

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Good Morning and Welcome to another No Rules Party!

We're your hosts & co-hosts 

Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

Checkout my amazing "Featured" Pinterest Board

(click HERE to view & follow)

Features!

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured! 

My Features this Week are:

1. "DIY Burlap Fall Wall Art" by One More Time

2. "Red Penta - A Beautiful Butterfly Attractor" by Comfort Spring

3.  "Chili Bacon Okra Bites"  by Kiku Corner

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

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The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Saturday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!

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Welcome a Cure Pink Ribbon Mat GIVEAWAY

Welcome a Cure Pink Ribbon Mat GIVEAWAY!
Enter for your chances to win!

but first - read this great post:
Eiffel Tower Rose




Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
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Welcome a Cure Pink Ribbon Mat Giveaway!

Hosted by:  Michigan Saving and More

Sponsored by: Carpet One Floor & Home

The winner will receive choice of one Welcome a Cure Pink Ribbon Mat from above image.

These mats, featuring 19 different designs, including four selections created by noted interior designers Lisa Mende, Traci Zeller, Melissa Davis and Kelli Ellis sell for  $24.99 each ($34.99 CDN). For each mat sold, 25 percent of the proceeds directly support the five-star rated Breast Cancer Research Fund, with a million dollars raised to fund a cure.

Learn more about these Welcome a Cure Pink Ribbon Mats HERE.

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This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from the sponsor in the last 12 month.This Giveaway is valid in the Continental United States. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST)10/6/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com or contact the owner of the blog you are entering on!

We “LOVE” it if you like us!

Entry-Form

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Click the button below to enter the Great Giveaways going on now!!: